LeBron James has consumed alcohol in the past, but he recently made visible lifestyle changes.
Lakers King has made sacrifices most 41-year-olds wouldn’t even consider. He has reportedly cut out alcohol entirely during his sciatica rehab, and sources say the lifestyle change has him looking noticeably leaner as he battles to extend his historic career into a potential 24th season.
LeBron James Reportedly Ditches Alcohol Mid-Rehab to Ease Back Pain and Stay Elite
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin revealed that James stopped drinking while recovering from the back injury that sidelined him for the first 14 games of the 2025-26 campaign. This move is less about getting healthy and more about staying elite against Father Time in what could be his final chapter with the Purple and Gold.
McMenamin’s report laid out the full picture of LeBron’s renewed commitment to his body. “There’s no telling the ride the Lakers could still go on this spring, especially if James can find that cape to put back on,” McMenamin wrote.
He added, “While James is eight years older, he has shown a similar commitment to this season’s Lakers team, sources said. He missed the first 14 games because of sciatica. But James stopped drinking alcohol during his rehab, and he has slimmed down considerably.”
James didn’t quit drinking lightly. He’s long talked about his love of wine, often posting about relaxing with a glass after games, and in 2021 he even pointed to heart health benefits. But when sciatica — pain running from the lower back down the leg — started to threaten his season, he made a deliberate change.
LeBron reportedly “stopped drinking alcohol” while rehabbing from surgery, and has “slimmed down considerably”, per @mcten
James said he is trying to relieve the pressure on his back/joints to “keep up with the young guys” pic.twitter.com/WdhsWCopJ8
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 28, 2026
ESPN reports the weight loss is meant to ease the strain on his back and joints and help him keep up with much younger teammates. James has backed that up himself, saying he wants to “keep up with the young guys.”
The results speak for themselves. Since returning to the floor, he has appeared in 29 games, averaging 22.0 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.9 rebounds across 33.2 minutes per game.
Meanwhile, reports say Cleveland is ready to welcome James back if he wants a third stint next summer. Multiple team and league sources told ESPN the Cavaliers would be open to bringing James back for his 24th NBA season.
For now, a leaner, alcohol-free LeBron is focused on chasing another title with the Lakers next season, if not this season.
